Alabama Accountability Act

8:12 am

Fri September 13, 2013

ALA Democrat Calls to Strip Accountability Funding

An Alabama Democrat says the Accountability Act has failed and is asking lawmakers to divert funding intended for tax credits to another educational program.

House Minority Leader Craig Ford, of Gadsden, said Thursday that he'd like to see the state reallocate $40 million meant for tax credits under the legislation used instead to expand the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative.

Ford says about 50 students have transferred to private schools under the Accountability Act and 59 of the state's nearly 400 private schools have agreed to accept transfer students.

Democrats and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed suits in August to try blocking its implementation or having the legislation ruled unconstitutional.

Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard says lawmakers can fund both programs and don't need to choose between them.